[Fix] Device Census is Using the Webcam Message in Windows 10

If you are using Windows 10 operating system and you have a webcam (camera) in your computer system, you might have received following messages in your machine:

• Device Census is using the webcam (Kaspersky)
• Device Census is using your camera (Kaspersky)
• Application is allowed to access webcam – Device Census
• An application (Device Census) is trying to access your webcam (Eset NOD32)
• Webcam access allowed – access to the webcam was allowed – Device Census (Eset NOD32)
• Webcam access blocked – Device Census (Eset NOD32)
• Allowed webcam access to Device Census (Norton)

These messages are shown by Kaspersky Total Security and ESET NOD32 software programs. Sometimes other security software such as antivirus and anti-spyware programs and firewalls can also display these kind of messages.

Recently an AskVG reader contacted us regarding this issue. He was getting the “Device Census is using the webcam” message frequently from Kaspersky Total Security suite in his Windows 10 device. Getting a message that some program is using your webcam can make you afraid of spyware programs.

Today in this tutorial, we’ll tell you what is “Device Census” program and why do you receive “Device Census is using the webcam or camera” message from your security software.

What is “Device Census” Program Running in Windows 10?

If you open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) in Windows 10, you might notice DeviceCensus.exe process running in the background.

DeviceCensus.exe or Device Census is a genuine Microsoft program which is a part of Windows 10 telemetry functionality which collects diagnostic data and sends it to Microsoft servers. It helps Microsoft in collecting usage data and getting feedback about bugs and issues present in Windows 10 operating system.

Device Census program is actually an executable file DeviceCensus.exe present in “C:\Windows\System32” folder. It gathers data on your hardware usage such as your webcam usage and that’s why you receive the message from your security software. It doesn’t record or spy on you.

Device Census runs in background to check your machine and reports Microsoft which Windows 10 build are you using so that Microsoft can send a newer build if available.

How to Fix or Disable “Device Census is using the webcam” Message?

If you are still worried about Device Census using your webcam message and want to disable or remove it, you can safely prevent/restrict Device Census from accessing and using your webcam with the help of following steps:

1. Open Start Menu and click on Settings option. It’ll open Settings app. Alternatively, you can direct open Settings app using WIN+I hotkey.

2. Now click on “Privacy” section.

3. Now click on “Camera” tab present in left-side pane.

Now do as following:

If you want to completely disable webcam/camera access in your Windows 10 device, click on “Change” button given under “Allow access to the camera on this device section” and set the toggle to OFF. It’ll disallow all apps and programs from accessing or using your webcam. You can also set the toggle for “Allow apps to access your camera” or “Let apps use my camera hardware” options to OFF.

If you want to allow other apps to use your webcam but want to disable Device Census program only, scroll down and look for “Feedback Hub” program in the list. This is the app which uses Device Census to gather webcam usage.

Set the toggle given next to “Feedback Hub” to OFF.

That’s it. Now Device Census will no longer be able to access your webcam in Windows 10.

If you still receive the message “Device Census is using the webcam”, you can disable these kind of alerts in Kaspersky or other security software settings.

Also Check:

[Guide] Best Privacy Settings for Windows 10